Chris Kirubi Biography, Education, Family Background, and Net Worth

The fallen Chris Kirubi was a longstanding Kenyan born industrialist and entrepreneur. His rising up from an orphaned poor boy to a respected African tycoon is inspiring. Nairobi Stoke Exchange records have confirmed that he was a multi-millionaire and major shareholder in Centum Investment among other businesses. Chris Kirubi biography reveals even more.

The untold life story of Chris Kirubi is one of an ordinary Kenyan who struggled to touch the roof tops of success.

Businessman Chris Kirubi profile facts

Christopher John Kirubi is famous for serving as an executive director at Centum Investment Company and Capital FM.

Dr. Chris Kirubi biography

The flashy lifestyle of Chris Kirubi inspired many and continues to influence them for greater heights.

For this reason, he will remain a serial icon in our memories on matters business and success.

He is particularly notable for defying the odds of an orphaned childhood to become a renowned investor.

Until his death, he was chairperson at Capital Media Group, Haco Tiger Brands, Nairobi Bottlers, and Bayer East Africa Limited.

How old is Chris Kirubi? Dr. Chris Kirubi age was 80 years as of June 14, 2021 when close family members confirmed his death.

The famous DJ CK born 1941, lived a happy life until 2018 when cancer caused his sickness.

Ethnicity and nationality

Where is Chris Kirubi from? Businessman Christopher John Kirubi is of the Kikuyu tribe from Rwathia Village in Muranga County, Central Kenya.

More prominent Kenyans with ancestry in Rwathia Village include Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi, Jimnah Mbaru, Benson Wairegi of Britam, and Peter Munga of Equity Bank.

Educational background

DJ Chris Kirubi attended Friends School Kamusinga for his high school studies.

He then joined Harvard Business School in the United States and also Handles University in Sweden.

In addition, Chris Kirubi is an alumnus of INSEAD Institute private business school in France.

Above all, Chris earned a prestigious Honorary Philosophical Doctorate from SMA University in Switzerland.

What did Chris Kirubi study? DJ Kirubi concentrated in business studies throughout his secondary and college years

A strong passion for entrepreneurship pushed Chris to major in business related courses for his bachelors’ and masters’ degrees.

Christ Kirubi career history

Upon graduation, Kirubi got his first job as a sales agent at Shell Energy Kenya.

In the late 60s, he landed an administrative role at the Kenya National Transport Company (KENATCO).

In 1971, Chris Kirubi came up with the idea of buying rejected housing properties, renovating, and reselling or renting them for profits.

10 Businesses owned by Chris Kirubi family

Apart from real estate, Kirubi maintained economic focus in the media, manufacturing, and insurance sectors.

Kirubi enjoyed huge stakes and was a lead profit shareholder in the following 10 companies and property investments.

1. Centum Investments Limited (director)

Kirubi owns 29 percent stake at Centum Investment Company PLC which makes him a lead single shareholder.

The Centum is a private equity firm behind Two Rivers Mall, dealing with variety of services including finance, education, real estate, energy, and health care.

2. Coca Cola Nairobi bottlers (chairman)

Chris Kirubi was an executive chair and stake holder in Coca Cola’s local franchise Nairobi Waters.

For the record, Nairobi Waters Company distributes up to 47 percent of all beverages in the Kenyan market.

3. Capital Media Group (CEO and presenter)

Kirubi bought Capital FM broadcasting station in 1998. Alongside the radio is Capital news blog website.

DJ Kirubi eventually became a disk jockey (DJ) and a trendy host of a weekly rock show.

4. DHL Worldwide Express (shareholder)

CK is a major shareholder in DHL Kenya which is an international logistics company.

The firm has reached about 220 companies with reputable airmail and sea services.

5. Haco Tiger Brands Limited (shareholder)

Chris owned a whopping 49 percent stake in Haco Tiger Brands.

A multi billion deal with multinational Societe BIC only left Kirubi richer.

6. International House Limited (owner)

Chris Kirubi is owner of the stately International House within Nairobi City central business district (CBD).

He has previously shared a touching story of on how he turned from a broke insurance seller in the building to its owner.

7. Smart Applications International (chairman)

Dr Christopher John Kirubi was a group chairperson at Smart Application International.

The company is keen in providing ICT solutions to an increasing clientele from across the world.

8. Bayer East Africa (shareholder)

CK is remains a major shareholder of Bayer East Africa, which deals with agrochemical products.

Insider sources have hinted that he controlled a 45 percent stock in the business.

9. Real estate investor

Firstly, Chris is a major investor in the Gigiri based Two Rivers dubbed Chris Kirubi Mall.

Secondly, CK is owner of the Uganda based Pearl Marina Project

Does Chris Kirubi Own Two Rivers Mall? Yes, DJ Chris Kirubi is owner of Two Rivers Mall because his company Centum Investment is the largest shareholder in the flashy property.

10. Corporate leader and NSE stocks

Chriskirubi.com has confirmed that he owned 24 companies with more than 1,600 employees working under him.

It all explains why CK brand companies are good performers in the Nairobi Stock Exchange market.

Chris Kirubi family tree

Chris is a native in Rwathia village and is son of a humble background. Sadly, the parents of Chris Kirubi died when he was a school going young man.

Luckily, well-wishers supported Chris until he was able to balance between working and schooling.

Brother Michael Kirubi

Prof Michael Kirubi is a younger brother to Chris Kirubi. He is a lecturer at the United States International University (USIU).

DJ Chris takes credit for working hard to educate himself and Michael after the passing on of their mother and father. 

Chris Kirubi’s divorced wife

Does Chris Kirubi have a wife? Yes, DJ Chris married Mrs Kirubi with whom he sired two children before divorcing in 1999.

He would go on to become a bachelor for the rest of his life; about 22 years.

Chris Kirubi marriage with a woman he described quarrelsome was likely a battle ground of love.

The esteemed CK spoke on Churchill Show about his broken wedding vows without regretting the divorce decision.

More so, Chris Kirubi emphasized on the need for divorce instead of remaining enslaved in marriage.

List of Chris Kirubi children

Kirubi Chris was a family man who fathered and raised a couple of children to become prosperous in different careers including his business empire.

i. Kirubi daughter Mary Anne Musangi

The 47 years old Mary-Anne Wambui Kirubi Musangi is a devout business lady after the legacy of his father Kirubi.

Mary Anne Wambui Kirubi is the first born and only daughter in the family. 

Wambui is a Masters’ graduate from the University of Surrey where she majored in BA, International Business Administration.

She has spent a better part of her 15 career years as an executive in Kirubi’s investments.

Moreover, Mary Anne Wambui Kirubi is owner of Secret Garden continental restaurant café in Nairobi.

ii. Kirubi son Robert Kirubi

Christopher John Kirubi son Robert Kirubi works at DHL Service Logistics in Brussels, Belgium, as Head of Global Customer Programs.

The multinational company runs in 220 states with a record high employee number of 380,000.

Robert Kirubi prefers working in Europe to focusing in the family business empire.

Dr Chris Kirubi family net worth

The net worth of Chris Kirubi’s family is estimated at Ksh. 50 billion with a fair share of this wealth coming from shareholding profits and business returns.

We have a few hints on how CK spent the money on luxury and business.

Expensive! Chris Kirubi cars

Chris Kirubi Mercedes Benz Maybach is one of the costly cruises in his garage.

DT Dobie sold the Maybach Mercedes to Chris Kirubi at a cost of Ksh. 40 million.

On top of that DJ CK owned of a fuel guzzler Bentley worth Ksh. 30 million.

Did Chris Kirubi own a private jet?

DJ CK does not own a jet. Even so, Dassault Aviation landed in Kenya on a promotional tour targeting to sell a Ksh. 3 billion Falcon LX private jet to Chris Kirubi.

No further reports have leaked concerning whether the late Chris closed the multi-billion deal.

Chris Kirubi houses and homes

Businessman Chris Kirubi home is in Rwathia Village but he has acquired and established more homes elsewhere.

The Kitisuru home was a safe haven and second to none. Chris owned another modem home in Vipingo within Kilifi.

Chris Kirubi cause of death

Dr. Christopher John Kirubi died on Monday, June 14, 2021 at the age of 80 years after battling with colon cancer for about four years.

Kirubi was diagnosed with the deadly disease in 2017 at his Kitisuru home in Nairobi City County.  

He later revealed to the public how a doctor who was attending to his fever found him cancerous.

It was not long before Kirubi started losing weight amid routine radiography treatments including chemotherapy.

The sudden death of Kirubi left the nation in a state of shock, with loved ones still in denial.

Chris Kirubi contacts

Chris Kirubi biography highlights the profile of a powerful man who valued every coin and took risks for it. His unrivalled reputation will surely live with us for decades to come.  

sir enock

I explore diverse topics with clarity to keep you informed and your businesses profitable. Besides, I am a website developer, ICT consultant, and graduate mechatronics engineer. Lets Chat on WhatsApp.